Why take out travel insurance?

Fortunately, the vast majority of holiday and business travel takes place without any significant mishaps. But making sure you have good cover can make an enormous difference in the event of an accident or emergency. This tragic story makes it very clear:

The Cairo Bus Crash

On the 11th of January 2006 a call was received by O.M.E.G.A., the emergency assistance section of QBE travel, reporting a bus crash in Egypt, with many injured and some deceased. The next few hours were to reveal a tragic event and the beginning of what has been reported as the largest evacuation of seriously injured Australians not involving the Military.

A task force was formed in QBE’s Melbourne office. A doctor from the UK was sent immediately to Cairo for the initial assessment. From Australia, a medical team and equipment was sent to Cairo to move the injured to London. Another medical crew was sent to London to assist the injured on arrival and prepare them for repatriation to Australia. In total, twenty medical crew members were sent overseas.

There were 21 injured Australians and 6 deceased. Of the injured, 6 were in a critical condition and the remainder had suffered very complex injuries. There were 9 patients who required air ambulance transport to the UK from Cairo. The remainder were flown on commercial flights and accompanied by QBE’s O.M.E.G.A. medical teams.

It was a significant logistical exercise to manage the flights, transport, ground handling and accommodation for 63 people, as the operation now included the injured, deceased, medical teams and the relatives we had flown out to be with their loved ones. QBE’s O.M.E.G.A. repatriated all of the deceased to Australia - even those of the other insurer. This decision was made in the interests of the deceased’s families.

Some of the injured passengers, once airlifted to the UK, could be repatriated directly to Australia as well. A combination of stretchers, first and business class seats were used with our medical crew also on board caring for all, including the client of another insurer who wanted to remain with her group of friends for support. The remainder were hospitalised in the UK for further treatment.

It’s worth remembering that there is no cover under the Reciprocal agreement for Australian citizens who suffer injuries or illness outside of the UK, and private medical costs in the UK are as high as those in the USA.

QBE worked very closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Victoria Police, and the Police Association whose serving members and families had been affected. The last of the injured patients arrived in Australia on the 21st of February 2006.

But it doesn’t end here: QBE has assigned a Senior Claims Manager to oversee all of the claims resulting from this tragic accident and to expedite the payments.

Travel insurance is an extremely important component of your travel plans.Whether you’re travelling overseas or within Australia, QBE Insurance can offer you this peace of mind service. Make sure it’s on your list of things to do before you travel.

It’s quick and easy to get a travel insurance quote:

• Visit any QBE branch
• Click here for travel insurance quote
• Call us on 133 QBE (133 723)